Regulating mechanism



J. D. SPILLANE REGULATING MECHANISM Aug. 26, 1930.

a Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 4, 1926 K Hm! &/ BY

YATTIORNEY g- 1930. J. D. SPIZLANE 1,773,884

hEGULATING ECHANISM Original Filed Dec. 4, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 531/ 53a ifa,

26, 1930. J. D. SPILLANE 1,773,884

REGULATING MECHANI SM Original Filed Dem 1926 s Sheets-She et a INVENTOR ATTORN EY Patented Aug. 26, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES D. SPILLANE, 0F BRONX, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE CONSTANTATOR CO., INC, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORYOI'ZATION OF NEW YORK REGULAIING MECHANISM Application filed December 4, 1826, Serial No. 152,609. Renewed November 30, 1929.

'ihii; invention relates to improvements in lflg'tiiilhilifg; inechanism,as, for example, mechanism adapted for controlling fluid pressures, volumes, temperatures, etc, in various apparatus, especially tor industrial uses.

An important object of the invention is to provide a regulating mechanism which will be extrei'nely simple in construction and lunch more reliable an 1 sensitive than such devices of the prior art.

In my application for U. S. Letters Patenti or Motive power regulators, Serial No. 643,134, filed June 2-, 1923, a practical mechanism has been disclosed wherein a control member, which is influenced by conditions to be governed, is adapted to actuate, preferably, a switch which initiates compensation for variations in the controlled conditions, and the switch is adapted to follow up the control member and be reset thereby when the condition which influenced the control member has been corrected. In that case the invention is illustrated as applied to a damper regulator for a steam boiler, though not restricted to such use, and includes a motordriven actuating rod connected to the damper, and its motor being controlled preferably by the above mentioned switch. The switch is lmilily reciprocated by a swinging arm connected to the actuating rod, the construction being such that the switch has less amplitude of illO'fQiiiC'lt than the red by virtue of the fact that it is closer to the pivotal center about which the connecting arm swings.

The present invention embodies certain improvements in the art, and particularly over the apparatus disclosed in the above identilied application, and provides a similar apparatus with. a greater range of movement for the switch, or a si'ibstituted control member, and a longer control member resulting in greater sensitivity. More specifically, the swinging arm which imparts movement to the switch or its substitute in the prior application is eliminated, and the switch or its substitute of this application is carried by the actuating rod. For this purpose the actuat- I may be provided with a supporting briiicltet to which the switch or its substitute may be attached, and said bracket may also ti'unction to hold the actuating rod against rotation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a regulator as a complete unit with suit- 5 alrie adjustments for the various parts, whereby a standard unit will be capable of a wide variety of industrial applications and under different conditions.

Still another object is to provide such a device wherein the control member is yield-ably connected in such a manner that sudden shocks will be absorbed without doing injury to the switch or other parts, and whereby slight non-essential fluctuations of the con- 6 trol member will have no eiiect in the actuation of the switch.

lVith these and other objects and advantages in view, the invention resides in the novel. features of construction, combination and arrai'igcment of parts hereinafter set forth, shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation oi one form of automatic controlling ap paratus embodying the invention, and showthe parts in normal positions;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

g. 8 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View on line 55 of iv the switch rod ctional i 4 showing more cl. teusioning means;

Fig. 6 is a detail. elevation of the lower end of the control member and showing its yieldabie connection as well as features of adjust- Fig. is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, ol a modified t rm of switch.

The invention has been shown in the drawings as embodied in a damper regulator for slcu a boiler installations, but it is to be under.--;tood that it is not restricted to this use, since the salient features may be employed with equal a d antage in many other environments. T he improved damper regulator inder a pressure gauge A, switch actuating nechanism B follow-up switch C, electric motor 1 and damper actuating means E, all preterabiy enclosed and supported within a le casing If.

e gauge A is of the conventional type g a diaphragm the lower side of 's acted upon by steam from the boiler o rn through a pipe 16. The upper the diaphragm acts against a knife U which supports a lever or beam 19, cam being tulcrumed at atone of its ends. and provided with suita le balance we ghts 2]. adjacent its other end. The beam preferably extend outwardly through in the end wall 23 ot the casing F, weights being suspended on the cam at a poii t outside of the casing. ithi 1 :asiig F are a pair of spaced lugs 24-,

clu

'irely disposed above and below the of the lit when the weights 21 are properly adjusted. the beam will maintain a nor- 1 position as shown in Fig. 1 under the i-iesired steam pressure against diaphragm 15, ariations or tuctuations in said steam pre- 1l1c will cause the l' eam to r; ise or lower c se may be. Such movements, beyond ed limits. are transmitted by the 1 mechanism B to the switch use rotation Q. closi motor l). worm 27 meshing provided with a with a (l wl ich held between bea id having an internally tll1"2l(i( l nrh which slide rod bl t the Ul naiing meahs l passes. The rod 31 has a vaded portion 32 in operative engagement 'i the internal thread of the hub 30. and --niiah y held against rotation. whereby rota r-l the worm wheel 28 will result in slidoy ineir oi the rod Tie motor D is th switch C ltwo war .1.

The outer end the wall 23 is connected V101 rise. to the device to d. in this case a damper i the drawings.

. 1 uporting niembe of) is to the rod Si by means of a set screw 36, and is termed with an upwardly extending arm ST and a dowi'iwardly extending arm 38 which are prelcrabiy disposed in a plane behind the rod ll. The arm 88 bears against a relatively narrow longitudinal rib 2-32) on the back wall l0 o'l? the casing l and the arm 37 carries a set screw it whose extrcmi 'y extends through said arm 37 and bears against a similar rib l-Q parallel with the rib 39. The ribs 39 and 42 are disposeu on opposite sides of the rod 31 as shown in Figs. 1 and and by virtue o't' heir engagement by the arm 38 and screw ii, the rod ill will be held against rotation yet tire friction will be reduced to a minimum. The set screw ll provides a conrcment adjustment to compensate tor wear (it the parts.

The switch C is carrier by the tupporting member and includes a mounting plate a l of substantially rectangular outline. secured by screws ii to the arm 38-. By referring particuh rly to Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive. it will be seen that in the illustrated emliediment of the invention the mounting plate l3 is disposed in a vertical plane spaced from the back wall ll) of the casing. and that the component parts of the switch are carried by said plate as a sub-: sembly of the complete controller unit. Extending forwardly from the plate f} are a pair o'l shelf brackets which support a shelf l-(l haying a plurality of switch terminals. The shell s'ii may pre'lerzbly be formed of dielectric material such as hard rubber, bakelite fiber or the like. and also by preference. the switch terminals are in the nature of mercury wells. In this construction, the shelf lli is prorided with three recesses l7. l8, and 49 in which are set cups 50, 51. and 52 as best shown in Fig. Z). Said cups C(l]l tain mercury or some other suitable liquid conduct-or, and they are respectively connected b wires 53. El, and to suitable binding posts 53. 54: and 55.

Secured to the shell? 46 upward y at the front or ii l extending creoit is an angle plate 56. between which and the mounting plate sill a rockahle lrznne is supported. The rockahle lrame 5T may be conveniently formed of sl eel; metal or the like and includes a substantially horizontal portion having. at its trout and rear ends. upwardly extendii 1 cars 5 and (ill. nirotally morn ed on irnimions (El and (QQ res-pectively. Carried by the horiL-Jontal portion are a p; ir oi clampi blocks 63 and (ll. of insulation material. between which is a longitudinally extending switch rod 65. said rod 85 being disposed over the nercury cups 5o. 51. and 52. Intermediate its ends and adjacent to the cla'nping blocks 3; and hi. the rod 65 is p orided with a brush or linger G6 which extends downwardly into the inercury in the central cup 50. and the proportions are such tl said linger 6G always remains in the mercury of said cup re gardless of the position. of the l'OClitlblO frame and switch rod. Adjacent each of its ends, the switch rod is provided with adjustable tungsten contacts 67 and 68 which are respectively adapted to dip into the mercury in cups 51 and 52 as the switch rod is tilted in either one direction. or the other to cause the motor to rotate in either direction as will hereinafter be explained.

Extending forwardly from the upper end of the car 59 are a pair of spaced lugs (39 and 70 provided respectively with alined adjusting screws 71 and 72. Theinner ends of the screws 71 and 72 oppose each other in spaced relation, and are adapted for abutment of a relatively thin flat blade 73 on the upper end of a swinging lever or control member 74 of the switch actuating 1nechanism B. Variations in the steam pressure beyond predetermined limits or other condition to be governed, causes the control member 74 to swing against either the screw 71 or screw 72 rocking the frame 57 and correspondingly tilting the switch rod (55 to close the circuit through either the mercury cup 51 or 52. In order to maintain the switch rod in its several positions and to accelerate its movements, the rockable frame 57 is provided with an angle bar 7 5 which extends substantially parallel with the switch rod 65 and is secured to the car 60 by screws 70. At one of its ends, the bar 75 is provided with an enlarged head 77, the edge of which is serrated to form inclined surfaces 78. 78 and 79, 79, the portions 79, 79 forming a recess 80 while the portions 78 and 79 define points 81 and 82 from which the portions 78 diverge. An arm 83 is pivoted at 84 on the mounting plate 13, and is provided at its upper end with a roller 85 which is pressed against the serrated edge of the head 77 by virtue of an adjustable weight 86 on an arm 87 which extends from the arm 83. \Vhen the switch is in its normal. position, as indicated in Fig. 5, with both contacts 67 and 68 out of the mercury, the roller 85 will be at the bottom of the recess 80, offering sufficient resistance to maintain the switch rod 65 in a level condition. As the frame 57 is rocked by the control member 75 one or the other of the points 81 or 82 passes the roller 85, whereupon said roller comes into engagement with the corresponding edge 78 of the head 77, impart-- ing a cam action to quicken the movement of the frame 57. The frame 57 then re mains in such tilted position until it again actuated, in the opposite direction, by the control member 7 4, at which time the acceleration takes place when the roller 85 engages the corresponding edge portion 79.

The switch actuating mechanism B is secured to the back Wall 40 of casing F by means of a supporting bracket 88 which sup ports a transverse horizontal shaft 89 on trunnions 90 and 91. Adjacent its lower end, the control member 74 is provided with a pair of spaced bearing bosses 92 and 98, which are connected together by an inwardly or rearwardly extending web 94:. The bearing bosses 92 and 93 receive the shaft 89, and are capable of rotation thereon, and are held against longitudinal movement by a pair of bushings 95 and 96 which are keyed, pinned or otherwise secured to the shaft. The bushing 98 may preferably be widened and formed on its lower edge 97 with a relatively straight cam surface which normally engages against a yieldable flat plate 98 which extends rearwardly below the bearing boss 93. The said boss 98 is similarly flattened on its lower edge, as best shown in Fig. 8, and provided with a pair of location pins 99 which loosely register with apertures in the plate 98. A. plurality of retractile springs 100 have their lower ends connected at 101 to the opposite side edges of the plate 98, and their upper end attached to lugs 102 extending from the web 9%, and said springs draw the plate 98 upwardly forming a yielding connection between the control member 7 4s and the shaft- 89.

Extending radially from the bushing 95 and secured thereto is a channel member 108 provided with. a series of openings 104 to 108 inclusive, all different distances from the center of the shaft 89, and connected to any one of said openings is the lower end of a link 109. The upper end of the link 109 attached to the beam 19, preferably by means of a flat spring 110 which may be adjustably clamped by a screw 111 in a retaining mem her 112 on the rear side of the beam. The spring 110 permits adjustment of the lower end of link 109 to any desired one of the holes 104 to 108 whereby to determine the actuating limits of the mechanism. In this way movement of the beam 19 about its center 20 will be communicated to the switch actuating mechanism causing the control member 74 to swing in one direction or the other about the axis of shaft 89. The amplitude of movement of the control member 7 1, in proportion to that of the beam 19, is dependent upon the leverage of the channel member 103, and its play between the ends of the screws 71 and 72 may be varied by adj usting said screws toward or away from one another. From this it follows that the device can be very finely adjusted to permit any desired range of fluctuations in the conditions to be governed, and it is extremely sensitive and dependable in its actions.

Any suitable counter-weight 113 may be secured or attached to the control member 7st at a point below the shaft in order to normally maintain the control member in a substantially vertical position.

By reference to Figure 9 the wiring connections for the device will be explained. In

this diagram the switch has heen illustrated as being disposed in a control circuit whereby to control the actuation of the main motorswit he t .."l.&' :lh i switches beingactw ated by electro-niagnets l, J. is has been previously stated the motor 1) is reversible and therefore the two switches G and H are required in order to reverse the electric current passing through the various conductors. The current is supplied through conductors 115 and 116 between which the held 11? ot the motor D is connected. The cond ictor 115 is turiher connect l my a wire 118 to the switch pa es G and and the conductor 11a is similarly connected by a wire 119 to the switch poles G and H The electromagnets l are. are connected in series with each other and the inoividual magnet I is connected by the wire 121') to the mercury cup 5:2 of switch C. while the magnet .l is connected by a wire 121 with the mercury cup 51 of switch C. The central mercury cup to is connected by a wire w th the main feed wire 115 and the leetricilly connected sides oi the m nets I and .l ire connected by a wire 123 to the nain teed 116. The switch points and li *onnected by a. conductor 19-} to one side of the armature ot the motor D. while the switch points H and G are similarly connected to the opposite side of said armature. The result that it the switch G is closed. the electric current will How to rotate the armature of motor B in one direction and when said switch G is onened and switch 11 closed, the motor will rdtate in the opposite direction. The switches G, and 11 are opened and closed by the follow up switch C o the impr ved controller mechanism. lhe switch G being closed by the electro-magnet I when the switch rod is tilted to close the circuit through the mercury cup and the s vitch H being closed by the eectro-magnet 1 when the switch rod is tilted in :he opposite direction. that is when the circ iit closed through the mercury cup 51.

ll hen the improved controlling mechanism is installed. the halanc weight 91 is lil'st properly adjusted to determine the position of the beam 19 un er the influence of the diaphragn'i 15. Tl llDl-I 10:) is then connected o the desiri l opening in the channel hv to determine he range of tlucbe permitted in the ot course must J t 103 where ,s T1 and T2 on the r pressure 151G desired lunit. 11,, m iv. A, .Ui o .0 \llk; cvlitlOi 1L1 11w. tiie .dl idgc :11 the switch C a ciated parts will be sown in J.

relative positions a the steam pressure 1 re pushed upwardly by the l-znize e g 1 said movement is communicated b-' the link ucreases. t

toting the motor shaft 26. The rotation of t motor shaft 26 is communicated to the we worm wheel 28 and because ot its threaded engagement with the actuating rod 231 it reits in rectilinear movement o't' said actuatrod. iarrying with it the movable switch As movement of the actuating rod 31 consu in; C. tinues the screw 72 is caused to engage the o iposite side of the blade 73. tilting rocltable i rame 51' in the opposite direction from that in which it had been previously tilted by the control member and thus returning said rocltable frame to its original position with the electric circuit broken at both ot the mercury cups 51 and At the same time as the switch 3 has been bodily moved against the control member. the damper oi the boiler has been partially closed by virtue of its chain connection 31 with the actuating rod 31. and such movement should presumably be sutl'icient to compensate for the fluctuation in pressure which resulted in raising the beam 1. In a similar manner. it the steam pressure in the boiler drops beyond the predetermined limit. the beam 15) will move downwardly causing the control member 71 to move in a clocltw direction as viewed in Figure 1 closc the circuit through the mercury cups 5t) and 52 to energize the electro-magnet 1 which in turn closes the switch C to rotate the motor 1) in the opposite direction. The actuating rod 31 will then be moved to the right as viewed in Figure 1 to increase the damper opening and to again reset the switch C as has previously been described. The permissible movements oi: the various parts may be much or little. as desired. and the results are quickly ell'ected in a thoroughly dependable and ctticient manner. lt to ac noted tl'iat in some industrial applications controlling mechanism ol this character are required to maintain the :--lt2liil pressure or the like within age o'l two or three pounds. while in other installations. greater variations are iiiermisi-ible. in view (1 ii in this prelea l a pivotal 60 and 61 of the rockable frame 57 and supported in depending position from said frame y suitable radial arms 126. Disposed at opposite sides of the vertical center of the tube 125 are two pairs of electrodes 127, 128 and 129, 130 which extend into said tube, as clearly shown, and being connected to the carriage terminals 53, 5st and 55. A drop of mercury 131 is confined within the lube 125 and capable of movement therein in such a manner that as the rockal'ile frame 57 is tilted to one side or the other, said drop of mercury will close the electro-circuit between the electrodes 127 and 128 or between the electrodes 12.) and 130. The functions of this switch and its connections in the motor circuit may be identical. with those pre viously described wit h reference to the first embodiment of the in vention and therefore more detailed description is considered unnecessary.

It will be evident from the foregoing that a substantial advance has been made in the art by providing a circuit controlling device which will be extremely simple in construction and sensitive and reliable in operation. Obviously the invention is susceptible of numerous modifications in the details of con struction and arrangement of parts, and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as fall within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invent-ion.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art, that instead of an electric motor, a gas engine, or a steam engine, or other suitable motor may be employed in the broader aspects of the present invention, in which specific: in stances of motor substitution, there could be substituted for the switch a control for the power transmission of the gas engine, and in the case of a steam engine suitable valve mechanism could be substituted for the switch.

\Vhat I claim as new is:

1. In a regulating mechanism, a prime mover, a slidable actuating rod operable in one direction or the other therefrom for of fecting predetermined movement of a governing device, mechanism including a slidable carriage attached to the actuating rod for movement therewith, means on the carriage for regulating supply of power to the prime mover, a control member adapted to actuate said power regulating means, said control member being influenced by conditions to be governed, and means for varying the ratio of movement of the control member with reference to the slidable carriage.

2. In a device of the character described, a balance beam, an oscillatory lever, and means for transmitting motion from said beam to said lever, said means including an arm pivoted with the lever, a link pivotally connected with the free end of said arm, and

resilient means connecting said link to the beam.

3. In a device of the character described, a balance beam, an oscillatory lever, and means for transmitting motion from said beam to said lever, said means including a radial arm pivoted with the lever, and a resilient link connecting said arm with the beam.

i. In a device of the character described, a balance beam, an oscillatory lever, and means for transmitting motion from said beam to said lever, said means including a radial arm pivoted with the lever, and a link adjustably connected between said arm and the beam. 7

5. In a device of the characterdescribed, a balance beam, an oscillatory lever, and means for transmitting motion from said beam to said lever, said means including means for adjustment whereby to vary the ratio of movement between the lever and the beam.

6. In a device of the character described, a balance beam, an oscillatory lever, and means for transmitting motion from said beam to said lever, said means including an arm yieldably mounted for movement with and with reference to the lever, and an ad just-able link connection between the beam and the lever.

7. In a regulating mechanism employing a reversible motor and a slidable actuating rod operable in one direction or the other therefrom for effecting the predetermined movement of a governing device, switch mechanism comprising a slidable carriage and movable means thereon for controlling the motor, said carriage being attached to the actuating rod for movement therewith, and a control member inflm-anced by conditions to be governed by the device, said control member being adapted to actuate the switch at predetermined limits of moven'ient.

8. In a regulating mechanism employing a reversible motor and a slidal'ile actuating rod operable in one direction or the other therefrom for effecting the 'n'e iletermined movement of a governing device, switch mechanism comprising a slidable carriage and movable means thereon for controlling the motor, said carriage being attached to the actuating rod for movement therewith *nd a control member influenced by conditions to be governed by the device, said control member being adapted to actuate the switch at predetermined limits of movement, and being adjustably connected whereby to vary said limits as desired.

9. In a regulating mechanism employing a reversible motor and a slidable actuating rod operable in one direction or the other therefrom for effecting the predetermined movement of a governing device, a slidable carriage suspended on the actuating rod and reversible motor and a slioable actuating rod ozra-rahle in one direction or the other therei'or eii'ectin g' the predetermined moveof a governing device, a ahdahle car- 1 brac 'et i age, h carried h v the actuating rod and supporting said carr xf, 'l'or movement with aid rod; stationanv means cngaf aid hracliet to prevent rotation oi the atin I nu vable means on the carriage l'or con i m the motor, and a control member inil cl b conditioaa to he cured by th r said control m mber r lg ada pt cd to t e rate the switch at predetermined limits or movement.

ll. ill a regulating meciainieni emplofv'ing t able motor and a si' lahle actuatio i u rod oped-able in one direction or the other therefrom 'lor ellectirr e' the pr determined movement of a groverninq device. switch mechanism including a slidah e carriage suspended on the actuating rod and having the name amplitude of movement said rod, a plurality of mercury wells on the carriage 'lorming circuit terminals a rochable switchrod on the carriage tor alring and h ting the circuitbetween said mercur cupS and a control member in'lluenccd by conditions; to be r \'crncd b v the device, said control member being adapted to reel; the switch-rod and thereby to actuate the switch at predeter mined limits of movement.

liZ. in a regulatingmechanism *mploving a reversible motor and a slid-able actuating rod operable in one direction or the other therefrom l'or el'iecling the predctcrmined movement of a verning device, vawitch mechaniani compi mg a Slltll hlc carriage suspended on the actuating rod and hav'ngr the name anipl'tudo o t movement as said rod a pluralitv of nnn'cur wells on the carriage torming -uit terminals a roclzaale qwitch-rod, on

' age for making" and breaking the circuit between Ftlitl mercury cane, Ftlltl srvvitcln rod being provided with adjustable contacts for dipping into the mercury cups. a id a control member influenced by conditions to he go erned bv the device, said control member :eimr adapted to rock the switch-rod and hereby to actuate the switch at prcdetcrmined limits of novenient.

l"). In a regulating mechanism ei iploving a reversible motor and a slidable actuating rod operable in on direction or the other therefrom for efifecting the predetermined i'novenent of a governing device. switch mechanism including a slidable carriage and movable means thereon for controlling the motor,

means tor communicating fluctuations in the conditions to be governed, an oscillator lever adapted to actuate the switcln and a rcJ ilient link forming a connection between said communicating means and the oscillatory lever.

ll. In a regulating mechanism employing a reversible motor and a slidahle actuating rod ope able in one direction or the other theret'rom for ell'ecting; the predetermined movement of a govcrnin" device a alidable carriage, a bracket carr'ed by the actuating rod and supporting said carriage for move ment with said rod, movable switch means on the :arriagc for controlling; the motor, a control member influenced hr conditiom; to be governed bf. the device aaid control inemhcr being adapted to actuate the switch mcarc; at predtermincd limits oi movement, and a protective casing; enclosing and supporting the mechanism, a portion o't said ca 1; engaging and bracket to prevent rotation ol the bracket.

if). in a regulating mechanisnt an electric motor. an actual'np rod operating in one direction or the other therelrtnn tor ellectine; predetermined lllOYOlDtrlQ oil a governing; device, switch element: ;ociated with said rod and movable thcreveth tor rci yulating suppl of power to the electric motor, a control men her movable relative t and with said ewitch elements to actuate the same, to make and break the circuit, said control member being influenced by conditions to be governed, and means tor varying the relative movement between said control member and said switch elements. 

